Which AM process involves layering heated build material forced through a nozzle onto a build platform?

The process that involves layering heated build material forced through a nozzle onto a build platform is known as material extrusion. This technique is widely recognized in additive manufacturing, particularly through methods like Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). In this process, thermoplastic filament is heated until molten and extruded through a nozzle, where it is deposited layer by layer to create a three-dimensional object.

Material extrusion is characterized by its ability to produce complex geometries by precisely controlling the extrusion of the material, allowing for a variety of designs and applications. The layering technique not only contributes to the speed of the build process but also enhances the mechanical properties of the resulting part.

In contrast, powder bed fusion involves the selective melting of powdered materials, which is not a layering process through a nozzle. Material jetting uses droplets of material that are jetted onto a build platform and cured, rather than forced through a nozzle. Sheet lamination involves bonding layers of sheet material together, which does not utilize a nozzle for material application. Each of these processes operates on different principles and mechanisms, making material extrusion unique in its approach to building parts.